the time of the correction

Posted on August 21, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

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the time of the correction.

Hebrews 9:1-10 (JDV)

Hebrews 9:1 Now the first covenant also had regulations for ministry and an earthly sacred place.
Hebrews 9:2 You see, a tabernacle was constructed, and in the first room, which is called the place for sacred things, were the lampstand, the table, and the presentation loaves.
Hebrews 9:3 After the second curtain was a tent called the most sacred place.
Hebrews 9:4 It had the gold altar of incense and the ark of the covenant, covered with gold on all sides, in which was a gold jar containing the manna, Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets outlining the covenant.
Hebrews 9:5 The glorious cherubs were above the ark overshadowing the mercy seat. It is not possible to speak about these things point by point now.
Hebrews 9:6 With these things prepared like this, the priests enter the first room repeatedly, performing their ministry.
Hebrews 9:7 But the high priest alone enters the second room, and he does that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offers for himself and for the failures the people had committed in ignorance.
Hebrews 9:8 The Sacred Breath was making it clear that the way into the most sacred place had not yet been disclosed while the first tabernacle was still standing.
Hebrews 9:9 This is a parable about the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the worshiper’s conscience.
Hebrews 9:10 They are physical regulations and only deal with food, drink, and various washings obligatory until the time of the correction.

the time of the correction.

In the past, the only worship and ministry people knew was that of the temple under the old covenant. It dealt in shadows and copies, and could not change the worshiper. With Christ’s appearance and atonement, a time of correction has occurred. Now it is possible to both worship and serve freed from guilt and shame. The correction has only begun. When Christ returns, we will know complete freedom, and the permanent rest promised by him.

Have you entered the time of correction, or are you still trying to serve among the shadows?

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the real thing

Posted on August 20, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

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the real thing

Hebrews 8:1-13 (JDV)

Hebrews 8:1 But the main point of these sayings is: We have this kind of high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the sky,
Hebrews 8:2 a minister of the sacred places and the true tabernacle that was pitched by the Lord and not a human.
Hebrews 8:3 You see, every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; therefore, it was necessary for this priest also to have something to offer.
Hebrews 8:4 So if he were on earth, he wouldn’t be a priest, since there are those offering the gifts as the law commands.
Hebrews 8:5 These serve as a copy and shadow of the sky things, as Moses was warned when he was about to complete the tabernacle. You see, God said, Be careful that you make everything according to the model that was shown to you on the mountain.
Hebrews 8:6 But Jesus has now obtained a more valuable ministry, and to that degree, he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has received legal status based on better promises.
Hebrews 8:7 You see, if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no place for a second one.
Hebrews 8:8 But finding fault with his people, he says: See, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah –
Hebrews 8:9 not like the covenant that I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. I showed no concern for them, says the Lord, because they did not stay with my covenant.
Hebrews 8:10 You see, this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
Hebrews 8:11 And each person will not teach his fellow citizen, and each his brother or sister, saying, “Know the Lord,” because they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them.
Hebrews 8:12 You see, I will forgive their wrongdoing, and I will never again remember their failures.
Hebrews 8:13 By the saying “a new covenant”, he has declared that the first is obsolete. And what is obsolete and growing old is about to pass away.

the real thing

At this moment, I have in my possession a library of 5,009 books on the Bible, theology, ministry, history, biography, literature, and reference works. Yet I only possess less than five of the actual paper originals of these books. All 5009 books are digital copies in .pdf format. I can read the books, benefit from their content, and reflect their content in my writing, but I have never laid eyes on the real thing.

Such was the case for Jews living under the old covenant. The real thing is God’s permanent covenant, put into effect by Christ’s death on the cross. All of the aspects of the old covenant were shadows and copies.

In one of my digital resources, Govett writes, “Moses’ covenant has been shown to be a temporary one, and the blood with which it was inaugurated at Sinai was but that of bulls and goats; Christ’s, the blood of the Son of God; and the covenant and testament which it has introduced are eternal, founded on the eternal life of resurrection.” Thus, the sense in which the covenant is eternal is that it is not temporary. It is a permanent covenant.

Have you accepted the terms of God’s permanent covenant? It is the real thing.

Govett, Robert. Christ Superior to Angels, Moses, and Aaron: a Comment on the Epistle to the Hebrews. 1884. p. 494.

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once for all time

Posted on August 19, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

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once for all time

Hebrews 7:15-28 (JDV)

Hebrews 7:15 And this becomes clearer if another priest like Melchizedek appears,
Hebrews 7:16 who did not become a priest based on a legal regulation about physical descent but based on the power of an indestructible life.
Hebrews 7:17 You see, it has been testified: You are a priest permanently according to the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 7:18 You see, the previous command is annulled because it was weak and unprofitable
Hebrews 7:19 (since the law perfected nothing), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
Hebrews 7:20 None of this happened without an oath. You see, others became priests without an oath,
Hebrews 7:21 but he became a priest with an oath made by the one who said to him: The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest permanently.”
Hebrews 7:22 Because of this oath, Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant.
Hebrews 7:23 Now many have become Levitical priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office.
Hebrews 7:24 But because he stays permanently, he holds his priesthood without replacement.
Hebrews 7:25 Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them.
Hebrews 7:26 You see, this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the sky.
Hebrews 7:27 He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do – first for their own failures, then for those of the people. He did this once for all time when he offered himself.
Hebrews 7:28 You see, the law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the promise of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son, who has been perfected permanently.

once for all time

Unlike the sacrifices under the old covenant, Christ offered himself on the cross once for all time. His death is all that was required to put an end to your guilt and sin. Allow him to atone for your sins so that you can put on the righteousness of God.

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Melchizedek

Posted on August 18, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

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Melchizedek

Hebrews 7:1-14 (JDV)

Hebrews 7:1 You see, this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, met Abraham and blessed him as he returned from defeating the kings,
Hebrews 7:2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means king of righteousness, then also, king of Salem, meaning king of peace.
Hebrews 7:3 Fatherless, motherless, without genealogy, having neither start of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he stays a priest forever.
Hebrews 7:4 Now consider how great this man was: even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the plunder to him.
Hebrews 7:5 The sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have a command according to the law to collect a tenth from the people – that is, from their brothers and sisters – though they have also descended from Abraham.
Hebrews 7:6 But one without this lineage collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises.
Hebrews 7:7 Without a doubt, the inferior is blessed by the superior.
Hebrews 7:8 In the one case, men who will die receive a tenth, but in the other case, Scripture testifies that he lives.
Hebrews 7:9 And in a sense Levi himself, who receives a tenth, has paid a tenth through Abraham,
Hebrews 7:10 you see, he was still within his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.
Hebrews 7:11 You see, if perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the law), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be according to the order of Melchizedek and not according to the order of Aaron?
Hebrews 7:12 You see, when there is a transfer of the priesthood, there must be a change of law as well.
Hebrews 7:13 You see, the one these things are spoken about belonged to a different tribe. No one from it has served at the altar.
Hebrews 7:14 You see, it is evident that our Lord came from Judah, and Moses said nothing about that tribe concerning priests.

Melchizedek

Jesus, being from the tribe of Judah was not qualified to officiate as a priest under the old covenant. But he is qualified to serve as a high priest under the new covenant because his priesthood is superior. The fact that Abraham gave a tenth to Melchizedek illustrates this.

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reasons to be secure

Posted on August 17, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

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reasons to be secure

Hebrews 6:13-20 (JDV)

Hebrews 6:13 You see, when God made a promise to Abraham since he had no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself:
Hebrews 6:14 I will indeed bless you, and I will greatly multiply you.
Hebrews 6:15 And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham obtained the promise.
Hebrews 6:16 You see, people swear by something greater than themselves, and for them, a confirming oath ends every dispute.
Hebrews 6:17 Because God wanted to show his unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, he guaranteed it with an oath,
Hebrews 6:18 so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us.
Hebrews 6:19 We have this hope as an anchor for the throat, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.
Hebrews 6:20 Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner because he has become a high priest permanently according to the order of Melchizedek.

reasons to be secure

In yesterday’s passage, we were told not to stay at the foundation, but to build on it. People get obsessed with the foundation of their faith because they lack assurance. So, here we have three reasons we can be secure in our faith enough to build on it.

First, our salvation is based on God’s promise. He will do it.

Second, we have God’s guarantee that he will keep his promise.

Third, we have God’s permanent high priest, who has entered the inner sanctuary in heaven to intercede for us.

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leaving the foundation

Posted on August 16, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

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leaving the foundation

Hebrews 6:1-12 (JDV)

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore, let us let go of the first word about Christ and move on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and faith focused on God,
Hebrews 6:2 teaching about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead ones, and permanent judgment.
Hebrews 6:3 And we will do this if God permits.
Hebrews 6:4 You see, it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the sky gift, who share in the Sacred Breath,
Hebrews 6:5 who tasted God’s good word and the powers of the coming age,
Hebrews 6:6 and who have fallen away. This is because, to their own harm, they are recrucifying the Son of God and holding him up to contempt.
Hebrews 6:7 You see, the ground that drinks the rain that often falls on it and that produces vegetation useful to those for whom it is cultivated receives a blessing from God.
Hebrews 6:8 But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and about to be cursed, and at the end will be burned.
Hebrews 6:9 Even though we are speaking this way, dearly loved friends, in your case we are confident of things that are better and that pertain to salvation.
Hebrews 6:10 You see, God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the care you demonstrated for his name by serving the devotees – and by continuing to serve them.
Hebrews 6:11 Now we desire each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of your hope until the end,
Hebrews 6:12 so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.

leaving the foundation

In what sense is it Christian to leave the foundational principles? A. B. Bruce explains:

“Such are the fundamentals. What is meant by leaving them? Not, of course, ceasing to believe in them, or to think and speak of them, or to attach importance to them; for, though elementary, they are the foundation (themelion). They are to be left in the sense in which a builder leaves the foundation of a house—by erecting an edifice thereon. They are not to be treated as if they were everything, building as well as foundation. There has always been a Christianity of this sort, stationary, unprogressive; always concerned about the initial stage, and never getting beyond it.” (206).

Our God wants us to grow, mature, to build on our foundation. He wants us to go beyond what we were when we first came to him in repentance.

Bruce, Alexander Balmain. The Epistle to the Hebrews: The First Apology for Christianity; an Exegetical Study. (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark) 1899.

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we must be weaned

Posted on August 15, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

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we must be weaned

Hebrews 5:11-14 (JDV)

Hebrews 5:11 We have a great deal to say about this, and it is hard to explain since you have become too lazy to understand.
Hebrews 5:12 And you see, by this time you ought to be teachers, but you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. You need milk, not solid food.
Hebrews 5:13 You see, everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness because he is an infant.
Hebrews 5:14 But solid food is for the mature – for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.

“The author of Hebrews has been developing a deep spiritual thought about Jesus using various scriptures and common knowledge about the work of the high priest. Yet he pauses to concede that his readers might not be ready to hear what he is saying. He compares his teachings to a child’s diet (5:13-14). When very young, a baby cannot handle solid food and needs only milk. Soon, however, milk is not enough, and he or she needs to move on to solid food.” (29).

“The writer was distraught to realize that the Hebrew Christians were still in need of “milk.” Yet their situation was not unlike that of many current believers. Their spiritual childishness was a result of their contentment with the status quo. Further progress in their Christian growth and devotion to Christ would only increase the distance between themselves and their Jewish family members, friends, and acquaintances. It was easier not to press the issue (29).

Are you ready to press the issue by walking away from the things that are keeping your faith immature? For growth to happen, we must be weaned.

Deffinbaugh Robert L and Mark L Strauss. Hebrews Thru Revelation: Wisdom for Today and Forever. Barbour Pub 2008.

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the source of permanent salvation

Posted on August 14, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

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the source of permanent salvation

Hebrews 5:1-10 (JDV)

Hebrews 5:1 You see, every high priest taken from among humans is appointed in matters pertaining to God for the people, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for failures.
Hebrews 5:2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray since he is also surrounded by weakness.
Hebrews 5:3 Because of this, he must make an offering for his own failures as well as for the people.
Hebrews 5:4 No one takes this privilege on himself; instead, a person is called by God, just as Aaron was.
Hebrews 5:5 In the same way, Christ did not exalt himself to become a high priest, but God who said to him, You are my Son; today I have become your Father,
Hebrews 5:6 also says in another place, You are a priest permanently according to the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 5:7 During his fleshly life, he offered prayers and appeals with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.
Hebrews 5:8 Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.
Hebrews 5:9 After he was perfected, he became the source of permanent salvation for all who obey him,
Hebrews 5:10 and he was declared by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

the source of permanent salvation

Jesus is one of us. He understands us. He knows what makes us tick. When we fail, he knows why. We can come to him, pleading for mercy and grace again, because he is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He does not tolerate or condone sin, but he can forgive and restore. He is our great high priest. He was called by his Father for that very purpose. Only he was given that priesthood for eternity. He “became the source of permanent salvation to all who obey him” (9).

LORD, thank you that you have provided a source of permanent salvation for us.

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boldly go

Posted on August 13, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

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boldly go

Hebrews 4:14-16 (JDV)

Hebrews 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the sky – Jesus the Son of God – let us hold fast to our confession.
Hebrews 4:15 You see, we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without failure.
Hebrews 4:16 Therefore, let us approach the throne of favor with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

boldly go

It is not easy to approach God’s throne with boldness. Something within us cringes at the thought of entering the presence of Almighty God — since we know how sinful and despicable we are. What helps is recognizing that we never enter his glorious presence on the basis of our own merit. We enter on the basis of Christ’s glorious obedience and sinlessness. God’s mercy is guaranteed because of our holy and righteous Savior.

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the rest grace provides

Posted on August 12, 2023 by Jefferson Vann

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the rest grace provides

Hebrews 4:1-13 (JDV)

Hebrews 4:1 Therefore, since the promise to enter his rest remains, let us stay in fear so that none of you will seem to have fallen short.
Hebrews 4:2 You see, we also have received the good news just like they did. But the message they heard did not benefit them, since they did not join with those who heard it in faith.
Hebrews 4:3 You see, we who have believed enter the rest, in keeping with what he has said, So I swore in my anger, “They will not enter my rest,” even though his works have been finished since the foundation of the universe.
Hebrews 4:4 You see, somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in this way: And on the seventh day, God rested from all his works.
Hebrews 4:5 Again, in that passage he says, They will never enter my rest.
Hebrews 4:6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience,
Hebrews 4:7 he again specifies a certain day – today. He specified this speaking through David after such a long time: Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.
Hebrews 4:8 You see, if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.
Hebrews 4:9 Therefore, a Sabbath rest remains for God’s people.
Hebrews 4:10 You see, the person who has entered his rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from his.
Hebrews 4:11 Let us then make every effort to enter that rest so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience.
Hebrews 4:12 You see, the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of throat and breath, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:13 No creature is hidden from him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.

the rest grace provides

The grace of God provides a rest for those who choose by faith to stop working for their own salvation and trust God to provide it. This Sabbath rest is not a ritual, and it cannot be performed only one day a week. This Sabbath rest is the promise of God to accept the atonement bought by Christ’s blood and to apply that work to the believer’s account.

If you have trusted Christ for your salvation, you need never worry again about God’s acceptance. The only effort God requires is the effort to enter that rest. Once that is done by faith, your salvation is not the issue. You are now free to love others as Christ loved you — not so you can be saved, but so that they can.

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